A trip into the city.

Son and fiance just got a new place in a nice neighborhood north of the loop.  We had a load of stuff to take up, wanted to see their place and of course, stop in to get a beer. 

Chicago hosts quite a few breweries.  Not quite one on every corner, but getting there.  We stopped in at Half Acre because, well, it was just down the street from the new apartment, not because we planned it. 

Half Acre has a small tap room and do beer. Beer. Not food.  Not servers.  Beer, go up and order it, try to find a place to sit and stand if you can't.  It was a cold day in Chicago and the tap room was crowded.   Unlike some other brew spots, no one under 21 and there was a friendly door guy checking IDs.

I couldn't decide what to try and so future daughter in law and I agreed on a flight.  They had a pretty short list but they do brew a LOT of beers throughout the year.  We tried four and both decided the Hearths Aglow was our preference.  A stout, and very smooth.  To be honest, the other three were pretty ho hum in my book and I couldn't tell you now what the names were. 

Definitely a trendy spot, with young and older male and female.  A small room with limited seating and a store next door.  They have the store figured out buddy, and seem to turn a lot of merchandise over in that place, which you can enter through the tap room or off the street.   

Half Acre also has growlers in both 64 ounce and 32 ounce.  It appears they refill only their own growlers.  They also have kegs of their brews with advance notice, which is pretty nice for the area especially as this neighborhood is filled with young professionals and they tend to be in to micro breweries it seems. 

I have to admit I am getting a bit tired of seeing exposed brick and duct work.  Half Acre is a little different in that it is brighter in the tap room and only leans toward the super industrial look.  People were friendly, having a good time with their clientele who seemed to be having a good time on a very brisk afternoon.  As mentioned, Half Acre does not "do" food but since they are located in an area with many small eateries, they invite you to bring in food from a neighboring business and have take out menus for many of them upon asking.  That's kind of neat. 

While I am talking about a Half Acre, though, I must mention Wild Goose, on the corner.  We stopped there for lunch and found it to be pretty good...with reasonable prices, an efficient staff, a good and spicy Bloody Mary and a hefty beer selection of its own.  Also, apparently into Guinness and scotch.  Like Half Acre, really nice to have in the neighborhood but not a destination.